Missouri lawmakers pass bill lowering concealed gun age

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Legislation lowering the minimum age for getting concealed gun permits in Missouri heads to the governor's desk. Lawmakers gave final approval Friday to the bill reducing the minimum age to 21 from the current 23. Missouri enacted its concealed-carry law in 2003 after legislators overrode a veto by then-Gov. Bob Holden. The National Rifle Association says no other state with a concealed-carry law sets the minimum age at 23. The House passed the bill 125-25 on Friday with barely an hour left in the legislative session. The Senate approved it 27-6 earlier this week. ------ Guns bill is HB294. Online: Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)